Automatic ratchet tool



April 29, 1924.,

S. T. WROE AUTOMATIC RATCHET TOOL Til ed July 25. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E aTrL'IlWT' u E i atented Apr. 29, 1924..

unrrsn sTA'rEs sm r. wnos, or r'nAnKsToN, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC RA'ICHET TOOL.

Application filed July 25, 1921. Serial No. 187,4:07.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAM T. WRoE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frankston, in the county of Anderson and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Ratchet Tools, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved ratchet tool for attachment or detachment of bolts, screws, nuts and the like.

The primary object of the improved tool is the provision of one adapted for bolt, screw, and nut adjusting use, in connection with automatic bit carrying tools of the type for rotating the bit in forward or reverse directions as set forth in Patent #791,766, dated June 6, 1905, and of the spiral ratchet screw driver standard type, manufactured by North Bros. Mfg. C0., of Philadelphia, Pa.

11 further object of the improved device, is the provision of a ratchet tool of the above described character, in which the standard automatic bit rotating tool is used for operating a wrench socket to fasten a nut or bolt in a quick preliminary adjustment, independent of the ratchet wrench; the improved ratchet wrench being adapted foruse as a final adjusting means. a

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above. described character, which can be selectively used in connection with the standard automatic bit rotating device, or used independent for rotating a bit in either direction about its axis.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In. the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, I

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved ratchet devicc showing the standard driving tool connected thereto.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, after having driven a bolt element into clamping engagement with an article.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view, taken through the improved ratchet device.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Figure9.

Figure 5 a fragmentary sectional view showing a ratchet action in the improved tool. v

V Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line,66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a detail of the improved tool.

, Figure 8 isa plan view of a wrench handle used as a detail of the improved tool.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the improved tool when used as an independent unit;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the working details of the improved tool.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the letter A designates a standard tool of the above described type, for rotating a bit ineither direction about its axis. An improved ratchet wrench B, forming the invention herein set forth, is adapted for use in connection with the standard tool A to adjust bolts, nuts and the like; and including a bit receiving shaft C, a casing D, means E for adjustment to selectively engage said shaft 0 for ratchet rotation about its axis in either direction, the rotation being effected manually by meansvof a handle structure F.

The standard tool A preferably includes a handle 11, formedaxially upon a housing 12, in which a mechanism is enclosed for cooperation with the spiral grooves 13 and 14, in the element 15; said element 15 having a chuck housing 16 attached upon the free end thereof, adapted for normally receiving screw driver bits and the like. A shifting key 17. is adapted for sliding in a slot 18, of the housing 12, for positioning the same in an upper portion 19 of theslot adjacent the handle 11, whereby upon pushing of the handle 11, the element 15 will be rotated to the right by means of the mechanism in thecasing 12 engaging the spiral groovelet, Thelower portion 20 of the slot 18 is adapted toreceive the shift key 17 when adapting the mechanism in the housing 12 to ridein the spiral groove 13, for rotating the member 15 to the left for tightening a nut, bolt, or screw for attachment to anarticle, The intermediate position 21 of the slot, as in ordinary construction of the device A, is adapted to receive the bridge piece 17, to securely lock the member 15 to the-handle 1'1, for-use of the device A in the manner similar to an ordinary screw driver or socket wrench.

Referring now to the improved tool mechanism B, the bit receiving or attaching shaft C i is preferably of uniform diameter throughout the major length, and provided upon its upper end with a stub shank25,

for insertion in the chuck 16 of the standard tool A. The body portion 24is provided with an enlarged circular portion 26, preferably integral therewith; the integral portion 26, being provided upon its upper and lower faces, with series of opposing, circumferential ratchet teeth 27 and 28 respec-.

tively, arranged symmetrically about the axis ofthe bit shaft C.

The means E includes the supporting frame 29 formed of the upper and lower and 31 respectively. p 38 and 39 are identical in formation, eachseating rings 30 and 31, adapted for arrangement adjacent the series of teeth 27 and 28 respectively; each seating ring 30 and 31 being provided with diametrically opposed projections 32 and 33, adapted for seating in the end notched out portions of spacing posts 34 and 35. Screws36 are provided'for connection of the extreme endsof the spacing posts 34 and 35, directly into the projection extensions 32 and 33 of each of the seating rings 30 and 31. The spacing posts 34 and 35 are respectively provided with intermediate recessed seats 36 and 36,

facing away from each other, and for a purpose to be subsequently set forth.

Ratchet elements 38 and 39 are respec-' tively provided for seating in the rings 30 The ratchet members including a polygonal shaped body portion 40, having an axial aperture .41 extending theret hrough. The end of each polygonal body 40 is provided with an annular projecting flange 42, whichare of substantially the same diameter asthe diameter defining the external surfaces of the'seating rings. 30 and 31. The seating rings 30 and 31 are respectively provided with polygonal shapedapertures 44 and 45, adapted to slidably receive the polygonal body portions 40 of the ratchet members 38 and 39; the projecting flanges 42 of each of the members 38 and 39 overlying the outer end'faces 46 and 47 of the seating rings 30 and 31. The ratchet membjers 38 and 39 are provided with annular series ofratchet teeth 50 and 51 respectively, which extend inwardly of the inside "surfaces 48 and 49 of the rings 30 and 31. The

flanges 42 of each of the members 38 and 39' are provided with a plurality of apertures therein, adapted to slidably' receive the shanks 53 of the detachable screws 54, so that said screws extend upwardly from the end surfaces 46 and 47 of the seating rings 30 and 31respectively'. Spiral springs 55"ar'e positioned intermediate said outer surfaces '46 and 47 and the heads 56 of the bolts or screws 54, thereby resiliently maintheir seating rings 30 and 31 respectively.

' In assembling the frame 29, the bit carrying shaft C is; inserted through the polygonal openings 44 and 45 of the seating rings 30" and 31, until the enlargement 26 upon which the series of teeth 27 and 28 are formed, is positioned intermediate said seating rings. The ratchet members and 39 are then assembled to'the seating rings 30 and 31, respectively, and in the above described manner so that the series of teeth 50 onratchet'r'nember 38 facing theseries of teeth 27 to'cooperate therewith when driving a screw, or tightening a nut or bolt, and in a manner tobe subsequently set forth. Likewise, the series of teeth 51 of member 39 cooperate with the annular series of teeth 28 upon the enlargement 26. Spacin collars 58 and 59 are detachably mounts in predetermined spaced relation, by set screws 60, or the like, upon the disc carrying shaft C, and adjacent the outer surfaces of the ratchet members 38 and 39, whereby the frame 29 may be moved longitudinally upon the bit carrying shaft C for proper cooperation of the various series of teeth of the frame, and the teeth series of the enlargement 26. I V A circular frame supporting shifting ring 61, is provided as-a part of the frame 29, and is rotatably mounted in the recessed seats 36 and 36 of the posts 34 and 3,5. A bayonet slot structure62 is provided inwardly from the upper circumferential edge 63 of the ring 61; a bayonet slot 64 being provided inwardly from the other or lower marginal circumferential edge 65 of said ring 61. I j r. r

A casing D, preferably of cast metal, is provided, the same comprising a cylindrical body portion 66, having a bottom 67 provided with a polygonal shaped lug 68 pro- 73 are provided for insertion in apertures in the exterior surface of the body 66, and.

at predetermined spaced distances, to pro ect from the outer clrcumference of the casing D.

In assembling the casing D to the frame 7 29, thepin 72 is detached. The frame. 29, with the bit receiving shaft C assembled thereto, is inserted into the casing D, the

bit receiving end 74 of the shaft'C being lowered through an'aperture 75-extending axially of the casing Dyand through the bottom 67 and projecting lug 68. The

shifting ring-61m ofjust sufficient internal" diameter, to comfortably receive the casmg D, and permit rotation thereof about the casing. The supporting posts 34;.and 35 are maintained in secure relation within the slots 69 and 70, having certain portions thereof projecting from said slots, substantially as illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings. A cap 76 is next detaohably mounted in any preferred manner uponthe upper edge 71 of the body 66, as by set screws 77; the cap 7 6 having an opening therethrough provided with an upwardly extending circumferential flange 78, adapted to have the body 2a of the shaft C projectupwardly therethrough. The projecting set screw 72 can then be attached to the casing D to perinit proper operation of the improved ratchet device. a

The wrench handle F is for use in cooperation with the casing D, preferably comprising an attaching head. 79, and a handle 80 extending radially and longitudinally therefrom. The attaching head 79 is provided with a polygonal depression 81 therein, and having an aperture 82 extending axially therethrough. Attaching apertures 83 and 84 are provided in the head 79. The handle structure F is assembled'to the casing D having the head 79 thereof disposed beneath the bottom 67, in such manner that the polygonal lug 68 is seated within the polygonal depression 81. In this position, the bit extension 741 of the shaft Cprojects downwardly through the aperture 82 in the head 79. Screws 85 are provided for insertion through the apertures 83 and 84 of the head '2' 9, to engage in the bottom 67 of the casing D, to securely mount the handle structure F to the casing D, so that the handle portion 80 extends radially therefrom, substantially as illustrated in the drawings, and at right angles to the axis defined by the shaft C.

The chief function of the improved ratchet device, will be that of use in connection with the tightening of bolts and nuts, and of removing the same. ,However, the same may be used in connection with special parts to utilize the same as a tool for driving and removing screws and the like. In connection with the standard tool A, the improved device B may be used as a valuable accessory or attachment to greatly facilitate the placing of clamping elements, such as bolts and nuts. In this connection, the structure 16 of the standard tool A is adapted for receiving the stem 25 of the shaft C. A chuck structure 85 is provided, for use in connection with the bit in Figure 3 of the drawings. A bit 87 is provided for engagement in a socket 88, in

the chuck 85, in any preferred manner, as

by set screw 89, said bit 87 having a wrench head socket structure 90, detachably mounted downwardlythereon; y

In use of the improved device, to tighten a bolt 91 uponanelement or article '92, the device is assembled as above described, and

the head'ofthe bolt 91 properly engaged This operation will have the efiect of shifting theentire' frame 29 downwardly over the bit receiving shai't C, anduntil the series of teeth 50 upwardly thereon are in engagement with the top series. of teeth 27 upon the enlargement 26. This operation can, of course, be effected,since theshaft C is maintained in substantially rigid longitudinal assembly to the casing :D by means of the spacing collars 58 and 59. Thebolt 91 may be easily driven into theyarticle 92 at'first; and in' connection with this driving of the bolt 91, the standard tool A can be used to rapidly effect the attachment of the bolt 91, in the well known manner, by simply longitudinally forcingthe handle struc-' ture 1-1, over the spiralthreaded element 15, to effect very rapid rotation of the bit engaging shaft 0, and the socket'90. Backriding of the intermeshing series of teeth 27 and 50 is permitted by reason of the resilient sliding mounting of the member 38. When thebolt has been driven as far as possibleby the device A, the same can be tightened to its maximum extent by the ratchet device B. The use of the device B in this connection issimple and the only operation'necessary, is for the operator to grasp the projecting handle 80, and to effect a left hand oscillation of the same, which has the effect of oscillating the entire casingD, and the annular series of teeth 50 will engage the annular series of teeth 27, on the bit engagingshaft C, to properly rotate or oscillate the socket structure in aratchet manner, to tighten the bolt 91 in its maximum clamped position, in the article 92. i l

When desiring touse the improved device to unscrew, bolts and elements of like nature, it is merelygnecessaryyto first shift the key 17 of the standard device A into the upper notch 19 provided inthe housing 12. This sets the device A for aimovement exactly reverse toithat above described for tightening of the boltelement Likewise, it is necessary forthe operator to oscillate and.

is then a right hand oscillation. to unscrew the bolt element to overcome the preliminary tightening. thereof. When the bolt element has. been sufliciently loosenedi from an article which the. same engages, the device A can be brought into operation for rapidly finishing the task.

The improved device B need not necessarily be usedin connection with the standard rapid attaching tool A, since a head 93having a socket shank'94 thereon can be detachably attached to the upwardly pro-v jecting shank 25 of the bit attaching shaft .C, as clearly shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. The operation of the device illustrated in Figure 9 is effected in the manner above described, with the exception that the same operates independent of any tool A. 7

From the foregoing, it can be'seen that an improved ratchet wrench device has been perfected, which is capable of attachin or detaching bolt elements, and of such a exible nature as to permit attachment of the rapid working standard element A. The flexible mounting of the ratchet elements 38 and 39 insure perfect working of the wrench device B.

Variouschanges in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, 'maybe made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing fronr the spirit of the invention or the scopeof' the claims.

I claim: Y v 1. A tool. comprising in combination a bit carrying shaft having opposing series of attaching teeth provided thereon, a

frame slidably mounted on said shaft,

ratchet members in the opposite ends of said frame for engagement with the series of teeth on saidshaft, means resiliently mounting said ratchet members in said frame, a casing mounted on said shaft for rotat-ion thereabout, and means for longitudinal shiftingof said frame within said casing and over said shaft for selective engagement of the ratchet members with'the' teeth of said shaft, to permit the rotation casing in either direction aboutits axis. 2. In a device of the above described character, the combination with a shaft provided with opposing series of ratchet teeth thereon, spacing collars on said shaft at predetermined distances on' either side ofzsaid series of. ratchet teeth, a frame slidably mounted between the collars on said shaft, ratchet. teethcarried by said frame on either end thereof, a casing about said frame for rotation about the axis. of said shaft, locking means. for adjustment of. said frame to selectively engage. either series of teeth upon the ends thereof with a companion series of teeth on said shaft, and means'mounted on said casing. for rotation thereof'to rotate thershaft in the, direction determined by said locking means.

3. A devicev of the class described comprisingashaft, a housing, means mounting said housing upon said shaft for axialrotation and against longitudinal movement thereon, two annular series of oppositely cut ratchet teeth rigidiwith saidshaft and disposed within said:housing, a frame longitudinally slidable in saidhousing, a pair of ratchet members supported by said frame in said housing, and means exteriorly supported by said housing and engaging said frame for longitudinal shifting of said frame within the housing to adjustably latch the frame'in position whereby a particular ratchet member mayengage a particular series-of'shaft teeth for rotation of said shaft in one direction, said means bein adjust-able to interen'gage the other ratche member and shaft series of teeth so that the shaft may be rotated'in opposite direction.

4:- A tool of the class described comprising a shaft, rotating collars mounted upon said shaft in spaced relation, a pair of oppositely disposed annular teeth series carried by said shaft intermediate said spaced collars, a frame, ratchet members each having a series of teeth thereon in inwardly facing relation, said members being carried at the ends-of said frame in longitudinal sliding relation within said ends of said frame so that the teeth thereof may cooperate with the teethprovided upon said shaft, resilient means disposed upon said frame and normally maintaining ratchet members inwardly of said frame, a housing carried by said spaced collars upon saidshaft in suchfmanner as to be rotatable axially of the shaft and naintained against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, and selective latch means carried by said housing and engaging said frame whereby the latter'may be longitudinally slid intermediate the spaced collars of said shaft to selectively engage either of said ratchet members with its cooperating series of teethon said shaft, and by meansof which the 'shaft may be selectively rotated in either direction upon itsaxis; t

5. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a bit or wrench carrying said.

10 selective disposal Within said bayonet slots.

6. In a tool of the class described the combination with an automatic ratchet tool including a shaft which may be rotated in opposite directions, of an auxiliary tool for detachable engagement with the shaft of the automatic ratchet tool, said auxiliary tool including a bit supporting shaft, and means supported by the shaft of said auxiliary tool embodying a ratchet device which will permit operation of the shaft of said 29 auxiliary tool in either direction.

SAM T. WROE. 

